About
Hello, and welcome to my website. Reaching out for help can often feel daunting. It is my hope that after reading a bit about me and my approach, you will have a better sense as to whether you and I may be a good fit and could work together to improve your mental health.
I am an HPCSA registered Counselling Psychologist who enjoys working with adolescents and adults, presenting with a wide variety of psychological challenges - from those who may struggle with adjusting to a new phase of life, to those who are suffering with a specific mental health problem that is impacting their life.
Through my training as a psychologist, I have gained extensive experience working with students and professional individuals., as well as administering psychometric assessments.
Before training as a psychologist, I worked in the field of inpatient addiction treatment (as a level III BAPSA accredited addiction counsellor), and within schools. I bring my years of experience in these settings to my current practice as a psychologist, with two of my many interests being assisting those struggling with addictive behaviours, and helping students through the pressures of the education system.
My previous academic research interests include Eating Disorders, and the use of Epistemic Trust in the psychotherapeutic relationship.
Meet Fran
My therapeutic style is integrative, with a firm theoretical basis in psychodynamic theories., specifically object-relations and attachment theory. I often draw upon techniques from other modalities of treatment, including mentalization based therapy, and motivational interviewing.
A very important aspect of psychotherapy, and my approach, is the co-creation of the therapeutic relationship between client and therapist. This relationship facilitates the important work that takes place in the therapeutic space. A good working alliance allows for insight into your inner world, through dialogue with the psychotherapist. It facilitates a focus not only on what is uttered in therapy - but also on that which is not said. Through the connection of the therapeutic relationship, complex feelings can be explored, and pain can be felt and faced, in a contained space.
It is also important to me that potential clients know that they are welcome to my practice, free of judgement regarding their religious beliefs (or lack thereof), gender expression and sexual orientation.
